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Patricia Cornwell's 'Postmortem' Quiz

I am a devoted fan of Patricia Cornwell and so I decided to create this quiz. All questions included here deal only with her first book 'Postmortem.' Have a good time.

A multiple-choice quiz by DillPickle. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
DillPickle

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
37,032

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
3088

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: herma1504 (8/10), Nhoj_too (4/10), dee1304 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the name of the main character in 'Postmortem'? Hint

Kate Scarlotti

Kay Scarpetta

Kay Marino

Katherine Scarlet

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is Kay Scarpetta's occupation? Hint

Police Detective in Washington DC

Chief Medical Examiner for Richmond, Virginia

Coroner

FBI Special Agent

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Question 3 of 10

3. What strong-handed police detective does Scarpetta have trouble relating to at the beginning of the book? Hint

Clifford Ring

Bill Boltz

Spiro Fortosis

Pete Marino

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Question 4 of 10

4. What type of crime has just taken place as 'Postmortem' begins? Hint

A Rape-Murder

A Rape

A Robbery

An Auto Accident

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Question 5 of 10

5. What element of the crime made it necessary to include an FBI Profiler in the investigation? Hint

The crime was similar to others, indicating a possible serial murder situation

The investigators were incompetent

All murder cases in Virgina require FBI involvement

Local cops were too busy

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Question 6 of 10

6. What was the name of the FBI Profiler who became involved with the case? Hint

Ben Kingsley

Wingo

Owen Phipps

Benton Wesley

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Question 7 of 10

7. What nickname did Kay Scarpetta give the killer early on in the book? Hint

Killer-man

The Slasher

Knife-guy

Mr. Nobody

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Question 8 of 10

8. Who is Lucy? Hint

Wesley's daughter

Marino's sister

Scarpetta's niece

A neighborhood kid

9. Because of a peculiar odor that lingers at Lori Peterson's crime scene Dr. Scarpetta suspects that the killer may have health problems. What metabolic disorder does she conclude the killer has? Hint

Maple Syrup Urine Disease

Organic Acidemia

GER

Pancake Hips

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Question 10 of 10

10. Who finally shoots the killer when he attempts to murder Scarpetta? Hint

Scarpetta

Lucy

Wesley

Marino

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 02 2024 : herma1504: 8/10
Feb 29 2024 : Nhoj_too: 4/10
Feb 25 2024 : dee1304: 10/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the name of the main character in 'Postmortem'?

Answer: Kay Scarpetta

According to the story, the name Kay Scarpetta is of Italian origin. She is the main focus of the majority of Cornwell's books.

2. What is Kay Scarpetta's occupation?

Answer: Chief Medical Examiner for Richmond, Virginia

Scarpetta is both an MD and an attorney. Her job as Chief Medical Examiner for Richmond leads her into all kinds of mysteries.

3. What strong-handed police detective does Scarpetta have trouble relating to at the beginning of the book?

Answer: Pete Marino

Pete Marino is a seasoned and cynical detective who speaks in hard-boiled detective lingo. Scarpetta doesnt know what to make of him at first.

4. What type of crime has just taken place as 'Postmortem' begins?

Answer: A Rape-Murder

Lori Peterson, a doctor at a local hospital, was raped and murdered in her own home. She was found by her husband, who noticed a sickly-sweet smell as he entered the room.

5. What element of the crime made it necessary to include an FBI Profiler in the investigation?

Answer: The crime was similar to others, indicating a possible serial murder situation

Lori Peterson's murder was very similar to others that had taken place recently. She was raped, tortured, and killed with a knife, as in the previous cases.

6. What was the name of the FBI Profiler who became involved with the case?

Answer: Benton Wesley

Benton Wesley is a top FBI Profiler. His job is to try and predict what the killer's motive is and what his next move will be.

7. What nickname did Kay Scarpetta give the killer early on in the book?

Answer: Mr. Nobody

Scarpetta called the killer Mr. Nobody because she saw him as a faceless, anonymous person in a crowd, no one suspecting who he was and what he was capable of.

8. Who is Lucy?

Answer: Scarpetta's niece

Lucy is Kay's 10 year old niece who is visiting from out of town. Not only is she completely incorrigible, she is a child-genius as well. She plays a more important role in Cornwell's later books.

Answer: Maple Syrup Urine Disease

At the crime scene there is a sweet sticky smell like pancake syrup. Maple syrup Urine disease causes its sufferers to have a sweet odor to all their bodily fluids.

10. Who finally shoots the killer when he attempts to murder Scarpetta?

Answer: Marino

Pete Marino has been watching Scarpetta's home because he suspects the killer will come after her. He sees him enter the house and gets there just in time to prevent Scarpetta from being killed.

Source: Author DillPickle

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor MotherGoose before going online.
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